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Jeremy J. Mathrole, 40, appeared in Antelope County Court last week for arraignment on two violations of the Sex Offender Registration Act.

Due to previous violation convictions, the allegations are Class 3A felonies. Mathrole requested court-appointed counsel. Presiding judge Donna Taylor found him indigent and appointed Carney, setting a preliminary hearing March 4. He reappeared later in the day with Carney, who requested bond be reduced from $10,000, 10%, and conditions amended to allow Mathrole to travel to Kentucky where he previously resided, to get possessions. Abler objected, citing numerous alleged violations to the registration act and other crimes.

“He may be arrested and never come back,” the prosecutor said.

Through his attorney, Mathrole indicated all charges in Kentucky had been dismissed and told Taylor he had graduated and his parents reside in the area. Carney said he has roots in Nebraska and graduated from the University of South Dakota. Taylor denied the request to amend bond.

“For the time being, we are leaving it as is,” she said. “That doesn’t mean it can’t be reduced when we get the information sorted out.”

Mathrole was arrested Feb. 11, after Neligh police chief Michael Wright determined he had been staying at a Neligh motel since Feb. 2 and had failed to register the address with the Nebraska Sex Offender Registry. A probable-cause affidavit lists previous SOR violation convictions in 2018 and 2008, in Clay County, South Dakota. According to the Nebraska State Sex Offender Registry, Mathrole has a lifetime registry requirement. He was convicted in 2001, in Iowa, of a misdemeanor, assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, aggravated. The victim was a minor.

He was remanded to Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore’s custody, and is currently listed as residing at the Antelope County Law Enforcement Center in Neligh.

Three defendants had their felony cases bound over to Antelope County district court when they faced Taylor in county court, Wednesday, Feb. 19.

Roger D. Stuckwisch, 78, of Tilden faces 12 counts of sexual assault of a child, five first degree and seven third degree. The alleged crimes were committed between Jan. 1, 2005, and Dec. 31, 2016, involving seven victims under the age of 14, according to an amended complaint filed by Antelope County prosecutor Joe Abler on Feb. 5.

Upon hearing the defendant’s choice to waive his right to a preliminary hearing, Taylor asked if he understood he would remain in custody until the case is finished in district court. He confirmed his understanding. He was set for district court arraignment Feb. 26. He was remanded to the custody of Moore. Bond is set at $5 million, 10% cash. Stuckwisch is represented by Carney.

Brennon J. Coleman, 36, of Neligh waived his right to a preliminary hearing on two Class 3A felony counts, third-degree domestic assault, subsequent offense, and first-degree false imprisonment. Coleman was bound over to district court, with arraignment set Feb. 26. He was remanded to Moore’s custody. Bond, in the amount of $20,000, 10%, with a condition for no contact, direct or indirect, with the victim, is continued. He is also represented by Carney.

Dennis J. Wilson, 28, of Tilden also waived his right to preliminary hearing and was bound over, on a Class 4 felony charge of possessing a controlled substance, methamphetamine, alleged Nov. 15 in Oakdale. He is set for district court arraignment Feb. 26. Bond posted Nov. 19, in the amount of $2,500, 10%, is continued. He is represented by Carney.

Jeremy Jones, 29, of Neligh faced Taylor for a pretrial hearing on three counts committed Oct. 22, 2019, in Neligh. A plea agreement was reached in the case. Jones pleaded guilty to the three counts, as amended by Abler, Count I, third-degree assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor; Count II, criminal mischief, amended to a Class 3 misdemeanor; and Count III, theft, a Class 2 misdemeanor. In addition, Abler dismissed a motion to revoke bond, to allow the 10% held by the county to be assigned to fines, costs and restitution. Taylor followed the plea agreement for sentencing, ordering 29 days in jail on Count I, with credit for 21 days previously served. Factoring in good time, Jones would be released the following day, allowing him to travel to Madison County district court for arraignment Friday. Taylor also fined Jones $250 and $69 restitution on Count II and $500 on Count III, in addition to $52 costs of prosecution. He was remanded to the custody of Moore to serve the remaining day of his sentence.

When given the opportunity to comment prior to sentencing, Jones said, “I’m sorry. I know you are getting tired of seeing me judge.”

Jones, who failed to appear on Feb. 5, after he bonded out of Madison County Jail, faces two felony allegations in Madison County, possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, and resisting arrest, second offense, alleged Dec. 30, 2019.

Jacob M. Thramer, 28, of Oakdale faced Taylor for sentencing on two Class 3 misdemeanor counts, criminal mischief and disturbing the peace, committed Jan. 24. Abler testified the victim did not request restitution for damages. Thramer, who was self-represented, told the judge, “I’ve learned I can be a lot happier when I am sober and clean.” In answer to Taylor’s question, he said he had been sober and clean “close to a month.”

He said he had called and got his old job back, calling in each morning, but they had not had work for him.

Taylor ordered a six-month term of probation, including probation fees totaling $220 and $50 costs of prosecution.

“If you are truly enjoying being sober, this will help you,” she said. “You are to become employed. I am not buying for a minute you are employed by Carharts and they have nothing for you to do and you are happy with that.”

The probation order includes conditions that he actively pursue employment, including at least three contacts per week, verified by his probation officer; complete 90 days on the Continuous Alcohol Monitoring Program, at his own expense, at the discretion of his probation officer; and obtain a chemical dependency evaluation from an accredited agency, again at his own expense, and follow any treatment options recommended.

Mitchell B. Heine, 25, of Fordyce was scheduled for preliminary hearing on three Class 4 felony counts of possessing controlled substances, found during a traffic stop May 24 near the intersection of highways 14 and 20. Heine pleaded guilty to two counts reduced to Class 1 misdemeanors, attempted possession of cocaine and attempted possession of hydrocodone, as negotiated by his attorney, Ryan Stover of Norfolk. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Abler dismissed the third felony count, possession of amphetamine. Taylor ordered a presentence evaluation and set sentencing April 11. Bond, in the amount of $10,000, 10%, is continued.

Andrew Nelson, 32, of Tilden appeared before Taylor for arraignment on a charge of driving under suspension, a Class 3 misdemeanor. He pleaded guilty and provided proof he had obtained a driver’s license. Taylor sentenced him to a $100 fine and $50 costs. Bond posted Jan. 13 was ordered applied to fine and costs. He was arrested in Neligh Jan. 13.

“I know every time you get paid you have different causes for the check,” Taylor lectured. “Sometimes when you have all these wheels fighting for your paycheck, a decision to not pay insurance is probably a bad one.”

Mark Morrison of Oakdale appeared on two counts of violating a Oakdale village public nuisance ordinance. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Morrison pleaded guilty to Count I and village attorney Luke Henderson of Norfolk dismissed Count II and asked to defer sentencing until April to allow time for Morrison to complete abatement on the property.

Morrison told the judge he had purchased the property, not realizing the condition, and he had contacted a contractor to clear the lot. Sentencing is set April 15.

Arthur M. Sehi, 67, of Oakdale pleaded guilty by waiver and was fined $150 and $49 costs for a Class 3 misdemeanor committed Jan. 25, discharging a firearm from the highway.